PM Modi to inaugurate Bhogapuram Airport in Andhra on August 1

Amaravati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the nearly Rs 5,000 crore Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport built at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh on August 1.

The state government views Bhogapuram Airport not merely as an infrastructure project, but as a transformational asset for the entire North Andhra region.

As per the official schedule, PM Modi is expected to arrive at the airport from Delhi on a special aircraft at 10.45 am on August 1.


Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will receive him.

At 10.58 am, the prime minister will inaugurate the airport terminal building and subsequently inspect the facility along with the governor, chief minister and other dignitaries.

He will then proceed to a public meeting venue in an open-top vehicle, where more than 13,500 tribal women and students will greet him with a grand Dhimsa dance performance.

The PM will address the public meeting between 11.30 am and 12.55 pm.

The airport was developed to international standards as part of the government's vision to position Visakhapatnam among globally developed cities.

It was conceived as a catalyst for industrial growth, employment generation, exports, skill development and research, an official press release said.

The airport is among the "fastest-completed greenfield international airports in India...nearly five months ahead of schedule," it said.

It has already secured the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aerodrome licence, along with the required safety, fire and environmental clearances.

Designed to handle six million passengers annually in the first phase, the airport also has a master plan to expand the capacity to 40 million passengers annually.

The project is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting economic growth, tourism, industrial investments, exports, logistics and aerospace and defence sectors across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model using Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework, the integrated project spans 2,703.26 acres.

It includes the airport in 2,203.32 acres, an aviation hub (500 acres), aviation university and EduCity (136.63 acres), including comprehensive airside infrastructure, commercial development, residential zones and approach roads.

A key highlight of the airport is a 3,800-metre Code-E runway, capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340.

It is also equipped with advanced airfield lighting, navigation aids and CNS/ATM infrastructure to support both domestic and international operations.

The terminal incorporates advanced passenger processing technologies, which include contact boarding bridges, Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), self-baggage drop, self-service passenger processing, smart surveillance, access control systems, security management systems and an Integrated Operational Control and Monitoring Centre.

"Bhogapuram Airport is expected to significantly strengthen North Andhra's export ecosystem through a 25,000-tonne annual capacity cargo terminal. It includes temperature-controlled cold chain facilities for transporting pharmaceuticals, marine products and other high-value perishable goods," the release said.

Integration with Visakhapatnam Port, industrial corridors and logistics networks is expected to establish Bhogapuram as a major air cargo and logistics hub on India's east coast.

Around 30 per cent of the airport's water requirement will be met through recycled water, and it was developed as per LEED Platinum standards.

Architecturally, the terminal reflects the state's cultural identity, inspired by a flying fish, symbolising the Bay of Bengal and North Andhra's maritime heritage, while the terminal incorporates traditional Rangoli into its roof and ceiling designs.

The Andhra Pradesh government has invested Rs 1,583 crore for infrastructure -- land acquisition (Rs 944 crore), water supply (Rs 75 crore), power supply (Rs 97 crore), funded works (Rs 134 crore), connectivity roads (Rs 301 crore), road connectivity (Rs 3.25 crore) and canal works (Rs 27 crore) -- the release said.

The airport is expected to unlock new opportunities in tourism, hospitality, logistics, warehousing, exports, pharmaceuticals, marine products, IT, aerospace, defence and manufacturing, the release said.

PM Modi is also expected to lay foundation stones and dedicate various projects of the Ministries of Petroleum, Surface Transport and other departments, with a cumulative worth of Rs 18,000 crore.

The PM is scheduled to depart for Delhi at 1.10 pm.

Meanwhile, Naidu held a video conference with officials on the preparations for the inauguration, stressing that it should be held in an extravagant manner with a grand welcome for PM Modi.

"The airport premises should radiate with Telugu culture and legacy. A world record should be created through the tribal Dhimsa welcome dance for PM Modi," Naidu said in an official release on Friday.

Giant Etikoppaka toy replicas have been arranged at the airport as part of the decoration.

Pictures of Bobbili Veena, Banginapalli mango and puppet show vistas have adorned the interior of the airport.

Moreover, Air India has already issued a schedule to operate flights from the new airport, the release added.